Tracheobronchomegaly (Mounier-Kuhn syndrome): a case report

A case description of tracheobronchomegaly combined with bronchiectasis and infection

“…Certain individuals may show no symptoms, maintaining regular respiratory function, whereas others might endure persistent coughing, produce sputum regularly, and experience repeated lower respiratory tract infections. In rare cases, a subset of patients might progress to severe respiratory failure, potentially leading to fatal outcomes ( 3 ). Due to the rarity and high risk of misdiagnosis of this disease, imaging examination is crucial.…”

“…In adults, the CT diagnostic criteria are tracheal diameters >30 mm, and main bronchi diameters of >24 and 23 mm for right and left, respectively. An increase in tracheal cross-sectional area beyond 371 mm 2 in men and 299 mm 2 in women also defines the disease ( 3 ).…”

“…However, TBM is more likely to be missed on an X-ray than on a CT scan because the images on the X-ray are not apparent in some patients. Bronchoscopy continues to serve as a robust diagnostic modality capable of identifying the expansion of the trachea and main bronchi during inhalation, as well as their constriction and potential collapse during exhalation and coughing ( 7 ). During FOB examination, patients with TBM typically exhibit the absence of tracheal cartilage rings, resulting in abnormal widening and collapse of the airways.…”